he became a nobel peace prize recipient and was elected president in the country's first free elections. the post apartheid years were unemployment and aids plagued the country. the 91-year-old mandela, who at fault for years to host the world cup, appeared on the pitch. in his later years, he battled illness, in and out of the hospital. he virtually moved to his home village to be closer to his family. waned,luence never hosting a number of visitors, including first lady michelle obama. it also mandela became a living symbol of freedom -- nelson mandela became a living symbol of freedom and the strength of south africa and freedom beyond. has already begun at the south african embassy. hassle fella has more. >> at the south african embassy, a real-life reminder of this man's life and legacy. in front of the embassy, the nine foot statue made of bronze, designed by a south african sculptor, modeled after images of mandela back in 1990. the closed fist, almost signaling victory. he was jailed 27 years three decades ago, at the very spot where dozens of protesters, americans included, who